Most scenic route between Montreal and Nashville TN? (home, area)

[PapaGrande]

Going to be driving in mid Sept from Montreal back home to Nashville and would like to pick out the most scenic route to drive. I love natural beauty but I also love rolling hillsides with small farms. Would like to stop along the way to visit some nice small towns, and would like to avoid big cities.


Thanks

[ckhthankgod]

Take I-81 at the 1000 Islands Bridge all the way to I-40 at around Knoxville. Then take that all the way home. A lot of hills and valleys, with some nice communities along the way. Syracuse and Knoxville are the biggest cities along that route.

You could also take I-87 to I-90 around Albany, then take I-88 around Schenectady. Go until it ends at Binghamton, where you can get on I-81.

[PapaGrande]

Good idea going down through the Appalachians. I may go through Charlottesville, Blacksburg, and Asheville, as those are towns I've always wanted to visit.


Would it be better to go down through Plattsburg and Vermont or to take the autoroute along the Canadian side of the St Laurence. Would I even be able to see anything from the autoroute?

[nashvols]

Yeah, it's such a long drive I wouldn't suggest taking back roads all the way...Stick to 81 is a pretty drive, and like you said, you can stop at some of the towns just off of the path.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by PapaGrande

Good idea going down through the Appalachians. I may go through Charlottesville, Blacksburg, and Asheville, as those are towns I've always wanted to visit.


Would it be better to go down through Plattsburg and Vermont or to take the autoroute along the Canadian side of the St Laurence. Would I even be able to see anything from the autoroute?

I would take the Autoroute to I-81 at the Thousand Islands Bridge. You might want to stop at a few little communities in that area of NY like Alexandria Bay, Sackets Harbor or Clayton.

[Jeromeville]

Interstate 81 has received awards for scenic beauty and once you get south of Syracuse it's particularly pretty. Not to mention down in Virginia too.

I would recommend going on Route 3 next to Lake Ontario, then picking up I-81 in Syracuse.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Jeromeville

Interstate 81 has received awards for scenic beauty and once you get south of Syracuse it's particularly pretty. Not to mention down in Virginia too.

I would recommend going on Route 3 next to Lake Ontario, then picking up I-81 in Syracuse.

Good suggestion or even taking Route 3 from around Plattsburgh, through the Adirondacks and then along Lake Ontario. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_3

Then get on 481 at Fulton to I-81.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by PapaGrande

Good idea going down through the Appalachians. I may go through Charlottesville, Blacksburg, and Asheville, as those are towns I've always wanted to visit.


Would it be better to go down through Plattsburg and Vermont or to take the autoroute along the Canadian side of the St Laurence. Would I even be able to see anything from the autoroute?

I've been to both of the bolded, and they're absolutely worth the visit! If you go to Charlottesville, try to see Monticello (Jefferson's home). It's probably a 3 hour visit, but is well worth it!

[DubbleT]

If you are a history buff you might find Jonesborough TN interesting, the oldest town in TN and first capital of the lost state of Franklin. Maybe worth a small side trip on your way to Asheville, about 20 minutes off I-26.
Town of Jonesborough - Visitors - A Little History

[PapaGrande]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone (especially Route 3 through the Adirondacks, that looks really cool).